Varnam refers to the main piece of the bharatanatyam repertoire and intertwines both abhinaya (expressive narration) and nritta (pure dance). It is known for its complexity in structure, essence, and execution and is a testament to the mental and physical stamina of the artist. A Varnam is also often an exploration of relationships for both the performer and the audience.

The Varnam Salon was conceived to see Bharatanatyam practitioners in their element and to encourage the continued practice of timeless pieces in a Bharatanatyam performance. The Varnam Salon was originally created by Nadhi Thekkek, Shruti Abhishek, and Preethi Ramaprasad in California.

Srinidhi Ragavan and Sri Thina Subramaniam bring the Salon to New York as an extension of The Varnam Salon, CA. They hope to extend and encourage the continued practice and presentation of such a pivotal piece and with that build a platform for dancers to not just present but also discuss their work and process with other artists and their viewers. Srinidhi and Sri Thina launch this with a mission to serve bharatanatyam dancers in the East Coast with a community for dancers to gather, present and reflect on their work.